Receptacle And Method For Storing And Supplying A Liquid And A Liquid Medical Preparation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for storing and supplying a liquid, especially a liquid medical preparation. The invention further relates to a receptacle for storing and supplying a liquid, especially a liquid medical preparation. It is an object of the invention to provide a suitable receptacle and method for storing and supplying a desired liquid quantity. The object of the invention is solved by a receptacle for storing and supplying a liquid which receptacle is liquid tight and preferably gas-tight comprising a tube or a foil bag which can be compressed. The tube or foil bag preferably comprises a rigid opening portion sealingly mounted to one end of the tube. The diameter of the opening portion preferably is the same as the diameter of the tube. The rigid opening portion is stable in respect of shape. The tube diameter preferably is not more than 10 mm and, in an embodiment of the invention, the tube contains a liquid, preferably a liquid medical preparation. The liquid has a volume of not more than 1.5 ml, preferably of not more than 1.3 ml. Preferably, the tube contains additionally a gas having a volume of preferably 10 to 15% of the liquid volume. The tube or foil bag preferably comprises a flat portion having an inscription.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A liquid tight receptacle for storing and supplying a liquid comprising a tube formed from a foil or a foil bag which can be compressed, wherein at least a first end portion of the foil is compressed and welded, thereby providing a flat portion wherein the length of the flat portion is at least 10 mm. 
     
     
         26 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the tube contains a liquid medical preparation which contains iron. 
     
     
         27 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the tube contains a liquid medical preparation which contains iron and NaCl. 
     
     
         28 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the tube contains a liquid and the liquid contains iron at a concentration of between 5 and 10 percent by weight. 
     
     
         29 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the tube contains a liquid and the liquid contains NaCl at a concentration of between 1 and 3 percent by weight. 
     
     
         30 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one of a self-adhesive bar code label and an information printed on the flat portion. 
     
     
         31 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the tube is made of laminated foils comprising an intermediate foil which acts as a CO 2  and an O 2  barrier. 
     
     
         32 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the tube comprises a barrier made of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer or a foil which is coated with SiO x . 
     
     
         33 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the tube consists of laminated foils comprising an inner and an outer foil made of the same material, in particular made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         34 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , further comprising a rigid opening portion sealingly mounted to one end of the tube, wherein the rigid opening portion consists of polypropylene. 
     
     
         35 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein flat portion comprises an inscription. 
     
     
         36 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the receptacle comprises a tip and a closure selected from the group consisting of a closure plug and a closure cap for closing the tip. 
     
     
         37 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the receptacle further comprises a rigid opening portion and a fastening ring surrounding a tip of the opening portion. 
     
     
         38 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the receptacle contains a liquid in a quantity not exceeding 1.5 ml. 
     
     
         39 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the receptacle contains nitrogen in the gas phase. 
     
     
         40 . The receptacle according to  claim 25 , wherein the receptacle has a filling volume of 0.5 to 2 ml. 
     
     
         41 . The receptacle according  claim 25 , wherein the receptacle comprises (a) a frangible tip wherein an upper tip portion closes the receptacle and (b) a predetermined breaking point between the upper and a lower tip portion. 
     
     
         42 . The receptacle according to  claim 41 , wherein the predetermined breaking point is concave and borders on an upper angular edge of the lower tip portion of the frangible tip. 
     
     
         43 . The receptacle according to  claim 41 , wherein the lower tip portion of the tip comprises a plurality of projecting locking elements which are so designed that it is not possible to unfasten a fastening ring attached at the receptacle or at the lower tip portion without sustaining damage. 
     
     
         44 . The receptacle according to  claim 43 , wherein a cap element is attached at the fastening ring by an internal and an external thread or a bayonet joint. 
     
     
         45 . A method for storing and supplying a liquid of not more than 1 ml to a person or a device comprising:
 (a) providing the liquid tight receptacle according to  claim 43  wherein the receptacle contains a liquid having a volume not exceeding 1.5 ml, wherein the diameter of the receptacle is not more than 10 mm and wherein the receptacle comprises:
 (i) a deformable tube, 
 (ii) a non-deformable opening portion comprising an opening attached to one end of the tube and 
 (iii) a closure plug or closure cap for closing the opening; 
   (b) directing the opening downwards;   (c) opening the opening of the receptacle; and   (d) compressing the tube and thereby supplying a desired liquid quantity of not more than 1 ml.   
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the device is a hemodialysis machine wherein the hemodialysis machine comprises a port which is adapted to the opening of the receptacle.